30+ OF EXPERIENCE

Los Angeles Maritime Institute was founded over 30+ years ago to provide educational adventure sails for at-risk youth. We do this and more as we head towards our third decade on the water.

AWARD WINNING YOUTH PROGRAMS

Our TopSail Youth Program and our TopSail STEM Program continue to win awards and accolades from the education community, government leaders, and the maritime industry for our approach to leadership training, experiential education, and our ability to prepare youth for careers in marine biology and the maritime trades.

THE OFFICIAL TALL SHIPS

Our twin brigantines, Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson were designated the “Official Tall Ships and Maritime Youth Ambassadors of the City of Los Angeles by the Mayor and City Council of Los Angeles. Our three-masted schooner, American Pride, is the “Official Tall Ship” of the City of Long Beach.”

OPTIONS GALORE

You may be an educator looking to engage your class through our VirtualVoyage digital classes. You may be thinking to book a day sail for a field trip, to celebrate a special occasion, or create a leadership experience for your team or conference attendees. Our range of sailing and dockside options are what keep people choosing us for their group.

Welcome to Los Angeles Maritime Institute!

About Our Programs

Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses hands-on experiences at sea to provide an array of social, education, and leadership development opportunities to middle school and high school students in San Pedro and Wilmington, and throughout Los Angeles County. Our TopSail Youth Program is offered year-round aboard the tall ships Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson, 110-foot traditionally rigged vessels named after sail training pioneers who sailed around the world seven times with young crews. Our purpose-built vessels and their young crews were proclaimed the “Official Tall Ships and Maritime Ambassadors of the City of Los Angeles” at their launch in 2002.

We offer:
• Day programs and multi-day voyages
• Hands-on STEM learning
• Maritime skill-building and sea-time certification
• Boatbuilding
• Private charters
• Community sails
• Volunteer Youth Crew Program
• Adult volunteer program

MISSION

The Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) serves to empower youth to discover their greater potential through extraordinary at-sea experiences aboard educational sailing vessels built to train and equip young people with 21st-century leadership skills, and inspire maritime and STEM career paths.

VISION

We envision a thriving community where every young person can look to the future with confidence and navigate successfully and responsibly in life.

PROGRAMS

Private charters for weddings, team building, retirement parties, and birthdays

CONTACT US TO DISCUSS

FEATURED

CURRENT EVENTS

TALL SHIP ISLAND ADVENTURE SEA CAMP 2023

Are you in need of a summer camp for 2022? Look no further! LAMI’s day camp and overnight camps are back again. Register now!

VIVA

VIVA! Our monthly community sails support our educational programs for youth in need. Sail the San Pedro Bay and watch the sunset from the deck of a tall ship. You can sit back and relax or become part of the crew – your choice! Don’t forget to bring a picnic to enjoy too (no glass…

Harvest Sail

Celebrate Harvest Season on a Tall Ship! Sail the San Pedro Bay and watch the sunset from the deck of a tall ship. You can sit back and relax or become part of the crew – your choice! Don’t forget to bring a picnic to enjoy too (no glass bottles please). Saturday, October 21, 2023, 5:00 – 7:30 PM, $60 – Adult $30 – Child (12 & Under)

Give Thanks Sail

Gather friends and family to share in a great afternoon on the water, and Give Thanks on one of our Tall Ships! Sail the San Pedro Bay with us Thanksgiving weekend. You can sit back and relax or become part of the crew – your choice! Saturday, November 18, 2023, 3:00 – 5:30 PM, $60 – Adult, $30 – Child (12 & Under)